In 1883, Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) was initially established as the Analysis and Testing Laboratory under the auspices of the Mint Office in which charge of producing coinage as well as analyzing, processing, and refining metallic mineral.

KATS has mainly supported technology development and conducted testing, analysis and evaluation of consumer products under the Industrial Advancement Administration. However, later on, functions related to industrial criteria and quality safety on consumer goods were integrated into the organization as affiliated with the Small and Medium Business Administration.

In 1999, as aligned under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE), KATS has set the position as representative National Standardization Body in Korea, overseeing various activities: development of Korean Industrial Standards (KS); control of quality and safety of consumer products; operation of legal metrology system; management of technical evaluation and certification of state-of-the-art technology and products, etc.

Furthermore, in 2006, KATS has strengthened policy activities in standards and product safety and carried out a reorganization of division toward consumer-friendly and performance-based administration system to actively engage in enhancing quality of life. In 2013, following the new government's reshuffle focused on small-sized structure and practical business, KATS rearranged the organizational structure to the 4 Bureaus and 22 Divisions in order to boost efficiency and competence of organization, under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).